Basin

Period: Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Qianlong period (1736–95)

Date: dated 1774

Culture: China

Medium: Jade (nephrite)

Dimensions: H. 7 5/8 in. (19.3 cm); W. 29 15/16 in. (76. 1 cm); D. 16 15/16 in. (43 cm)

Classification: Jade

Credit Line: Gift of Heber R. Bishop, 1902

Accession Number: 02.18.689

Description

This basin, embellished with dragons chasing flaming pearls through a cloud-filled landscape, bears on its interior a poem by the Qianlong Emperor (r. 1735–96), indicating that the piece was inspired by an enormous jade wine container believed to have been commissioned by Khubilai Khan and still on view in Beihai Park, Beijing.

Related